Travel InformationA basic fare Ticket
Ticket Period of Validity
For travel up to 100 km (operating kilometers) and for travel only between major urban areas and their suburbs, the corresponding ticket is only valid on the day it is issued. For travel over 100 km, the period a validity depends on the distance traveled, as shown in the following table.
| Up to 200 km | Up to 400 km | Up to 600 km | Up to 800 km | Up to 1000 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2days | 3days | 4days | 5days | 6days |
- * For travel over 1000 km, the period of validity increases one day for each additional 200 km
Stopover
A "stopover" means leaving a station on route during a trip (within the travel area of the ticket). Stopovers are not permitted when using the following tickets.
- A basic fare tickets for trips with a one-way distance of 100 km or less (operating kilometers).
- A basic fare tickets for use only between major urban areas and their suburbs (Tokyo,Osaka,Fukuoka,and Niigata).
- Certain discount tickets.
- Limited express tickets, Ordinary express tickets, Green car (First Class Car) tickets, sleeper car tickets, compartment tickets, reserved-seat tickets, fare-adjustment railway tickets.
Definitions of "Adult" and "Child"
"Adult" and "Child" are defined as follows.
| Adult | Ages 12 and older (If a person is 12 years old in elementary school, the person is considered to be a "Child" passenger.) |
|---|---|
| Child | Ages 6 to 11 (If a 6-year old person has not entered elementary school, the person is considered to be a "Small Child" passenger.) |
| Infant | Ages 1 to 5 |
| Baby | Less than 1 year old |
Child Fares and Fees
- The "Child" fares for railway tickets, limited express tickets, Ordinary express tickets and reserved-seat tickets are half the corresponding "Adult" fare. Child fares are rounded down to the nearest 10 yen.
- The "Child" fares for Green car tickets, sleeper car tickets, etc., are the same as the "Adult" fares.
- One sleeper car berth may be used by one "Adult" and one "Child" passenger, or by two "Child" passengers.
Small Child and Infant Fares and Fees
"Infant" and "Baby" passengers can generally board for free. However, a "Child" ticket is required for these passengers in the following situations.
- 1. If more than two "Infant" passengers are accompanying one "Adult" or "Child" passenger (a "Child" ticket is required for the third "Infant" passenger).
- 2. If one "Infant" or "Baby" passenger will occupy one reserved seat, Green Car seat, Sleeper Car, etc.
- 3. If a "Infant" is traveling alone.
Discount Tickets
Round-Trip Discount Ticket
When using a round-trip railway ticket, if the distance of one way is more than 600 km (operating kilometers), the fare of each way is discounted 10%.
- Example: Fare When Traveling Round-Trip between Tokyo and Okayama.
The one-way distance between Tokyo and Okayama is more than 600 km, so the ticket is eligible for the round-trip discount. The trip is 732.9 km each way, which is rounded up to 733 km. The trip is in the 721 km to 760 km rank, so the fare one-way is ¥10,190. With the 10% discount, the fare is ¥9171, and rounding down to the nearest ¥10 results in a fare of ¥9170. Therefore, the round-trip discounted fare is ¥9170 + ¥9170 = ¥18,340.
